Summertime in Southeast Arizona is an excellent time to look for all the local specialties unique to the region. Cooling monsoon rains beginning in June and running into September quench the land and cover the grasslands with lush vegetation. This period, often referred to as Arizona’s ‘second spring,’ marks the start of the breeding season for quite a few of the target specialties and a resurgence of breeding activity for many others. This is the best time of year for such targets as Montezuma Quail and Botteri’s & Cassin’s Sparrows, which are at their most vocal. Southeastern Arizona is also known as the “hummingbird capital of the US” with 15 species being possible, including Rivoli’s (recently split from Magnificent), Broad-billed, Violet-crowned, Calliope, Blue-throated, and Lucifer Hummingbirds, with such rarities as Plain-capped Starthroat, White-eared and Berylline Hummingbirds appearing with some regularity in recent years. This is a great time in general for Mexican vagrants to show up, and parts of our itinerary will remain fluid to give us the best chance at finding whatever exciting birds happen to be around. Tufted Flycatcher, Flame-colored Tanager, Rufous-capped Warbler and even Eared Quetzal are possible!